GS1 DataBar Generator

Where DataBar is used

DataBar (formerly RSS, Reduced Space Symbology) is standardised in ISO/IEC 24724. Retailers use it on loose fruit stickers, meat, cheese and deli packs, and coupons. Because DataBar Expanded can hold a price, weight and date, it allows variable-measure products to be scanned at checkout without store-specific number schemes.

Numbers for products sold in retail must come from a licence with a GS1 Member Organisation such as GS1 US, GS1 UK or GS1 Korea. QR & Barcode Studio checks the structure and check digit of the number you enter, but it does not issue or register numbers.

DataBar variants

• Omnidirectional: encodes a GTIN-14 and reads from any angle at a checkout. Stacked Omnidirectional splits it into two rows for narrow spaces.
• Truncated and Stacked: reduced-height versions for small items scanned by handheld or imaging scanners, not for flat-bed omnidirectional scanners.
• Limited: smallest version, for GTINs with indicator digit 0 or 1, intended for very small healthcare and retail items, not omnidirectional.
• Expanded and Expanded Stacked: variable length, carry GS1 AI data such as (01) GTIN, (3103) net weight, (392x) price and (15) best before date, up to 74 numeric or 41 alphanumeric characters.

Printing tips

DataBar symbols are small, so print quality matters. Use a resolution that renders the X dimension cleanly, keep a light background with dark bars, and leave the quiet zones clear. DataBar does not need a large left and right margin like EAN, but it does need the guard patterns intact. On scales and thermal label printers, test across the full roll and grade samples using ISO/IEC 15416.

How to make it

1. Select GS1 DataBar in the barcode generator and choose a variant.
2. Enter the GTIN, or build Expanded data with the GS1 data builder.
3. Fix any validation warnings such as wrong date format or check digit.
4. Export SVG, PDF or PNG for your label design.
5. Test the printed label with an imaging scanner.

Frequently asked questions